Assignment 2

Brainstorming Session

As part of assignment 2, my group brainstormed around chapter 2 of 'The Tipping Point' in particular looking at how design relates to TV education. We came up with loads of different ideas from children to adult education, computer games and animation to smoking and alcohol. We each went on to research a different area and how this can relate to design. I looked into computer games, particuarly the health problems and benefits associated with playing games and how design has evolved to provide solutions to these problems. One of the biggest designs to come out of this was the Wii Fit. This revolutionary new game console has helped put the fun back into exercise for many children across the world and is also enjoyed by teenagers and adults. I also looked into computer games for training purposes like simulators for astronauts in training and till programmes for teaching retail staff. I found I really enjoyed researching this topic and brainstorming as a group helped contribute towards my ideas. I decided to make my poster a mind map as I find them particuarly efffective for revision purposes and easy to follow.

Mind Map

How Design relates to Computer Games

Hobbycrafts

Today I went to a craft fayre at the S.E.C.C. in Glasgow. There was a variety of different stalls including a large selection of jewellery and I was particuarly impressed by the work of Louise Pringle. She runs 'Eclecticshock jewellery' specialising in reinventing vintage jewellery and was nominated for 'Scottish fashion accessory designer of the year 2007'. You can find more info on her website www.eclecticshock.net

Vegetarianism

Someone asked me the other day 'Why are you a vegetarian?' To which I replied 'Because I don't believe that killing animals is right.'

I was 8 when I decided I was against eating meat. At the time I was going through a typical girlie animal loving phase. Ironically, I had just eaten a burger and decided to ask my mum what the burger was made from. She explained to me it was meat and when I realised I had just eaten part of a cow I felt physically sick. The amount of times I had driven past a field filled of cows and not known what their purpose in life was.

People will argue that eating meat is part of human nature, part of the food chain and a good source of protein for the body but there are other ways we can get all the nutrients we need to survive without slaughtering poor innocent animals in the process. Quorn is a great meat subsitute, it contains everything the body needs to maintain a healthy lifestyle and it tastes similar to meat. And yes, from way back when we were cavemen we killed to feed ourselves and our familes but nowadays there is such a broad range of food available to us, I don't think the flesh of another is particuarly important in our diet. It makes me sad to see these baby calves and piglets born into the world for one reason - to end up on someones dinner plate.

You wouldn't eat another human being so why should an animal be any different?

The Tipping Point

General Mind Map

General Mind Map close up

General Mind Map close up

General Mind Map close up

Detailled Mind Map

Detailled Mind Map close up

Deatailled Mind Map close up

Detailled Mind Map close up

I recently read 'The Tipping Point' and was very interested in the ideas and concepts that Gladwell put forward in starting epidemics. I made 2 mind maps and listing the main points of the book and a more deatailled section. The section I was most interested in was the second case study titled 'Suicide, Smoking and the search for the Unsticky Cigarette'. In this chapter, Gladwell linked together all his previous points and I was particuarly fascinated by the role genetics plays in the difference of someone being a heavy smoker or a 'chipper' and also the contagiousness of smoking and suicide in society.